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sofia_97's review against another edition
3.0
3,5* … interesting introduction to philosophy but quite long
bit101's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book years ago, probably shortly after it came out. I was probably in my mid-to-late 20s. And I loved the book. In the decades since, I have often thought fondly of the book and what I learned from it. I finally decided to reread it. Sadly, it didn't hold up quite as well as I had hoped. It felt long and in some parts particularly dry. Still, quite a cleverly written book.
Oddly, there was one overriding concept that has been an important part of my world view and which I attributed to the book. It had to do with the relationship of philosophy, science, and religion. In re-reading the book, I found that the concept I held so dear is not actually voiced at all in the book. Certainly all the pieces are there to allow you to come to the conclusion that I had come to, but I would have sworn that it was set out very clearly in writing. I kept waiting to get to that part of the book, but it never came. But the plus is that the book had been a strong catalyst to spark this important idea in me. Now if I talk about this idea, I know that it is an idea that I formulated on my own, not just something I read in a book. :)
Oddly, there was one overriding concept that has been an important part of my world view and which I attributed to the book. It had to do with the relationship of philosophy, science, and religion. In re-reading the book, I found that the concept I held so dear is not actually voiced at all in the book. Certainly all the pieces are there to allow you to come to the conclusion that I had come to, but I would have sworn that it was set out very clearly in writing. I kept waiting to get to that part of the book, but it never came. But the plus is that the book had been a strong catalyst to spark this important idea in me. Now if I talk about this idea, I know that it is an idea that I formulated on my own, not just something I read in a book. :)
abhi_sp's review against another edition
4.0
It was great overall but I think it didn't cover existentislism and esp Simon beavoir enough. Sad since there was ample potential in the plot to truly appreciate it.
saravannan14's review against another edition
4.0
I was at the bookstore near my house, looking out for an interesting book to read. It wasn’t really a big store with a lot of choices, so I didn’t find any that got my attention. And I finally I saw this book and picked it up. I didn’t know who Mr. Gaarder was or even Sophie for that matter but it did have a discount of 20% that got my attention. Oh...philosophy...that’s interesting. And it’s written there it is the million-copy bestseller, so it must be a good book. And that’s what it is, a good book. I totally loved the story! When I was first introduced with the character and the following events, I was sceptical how Mr. Gaarder will be explaining the strange events that were happening. Talking dog? A birthday wish inside a banana peel? He has a load of things to explain. And suddenly, BANG!! He comes out with a twist in the story that not only explained all the events, but also turned the dimension of the story. And I realised, things are not as they seemed to be. Ah...good one Mr. Gaarder...you got me there...never saw that one coming! I totally loved the writer’s style. Story within a story? Brilliant! The only downside of this book is the heavy take on philosophy. I mean really heavy, that this book could be adapted as a text book of philosophy. Names, dates, events, and everything to do with philosophy and philosophers is in this book. It did me make me bored at times, the philosophy content, but the story got me going. And in the end, it was an interesting experience to read Sophie’s World.
This book could’ve gotten 5 stars from me, but the heavy content of philosophy caused one star. In conclusion, it’s a great book if you can endure all the philosophy content. Now I’m looking forward for Mr. Gaarder’s other books!
This book could’ve gotten 5 stars from me, but the heavy content of philosophy caused one star. In conclusion, it’s a great book if you can endure all the philosophy content. Now I’m looking forward for Mr. Gaarder’s other books!
amelia___'s review
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
cristina_02's review against another edition
5.0
Recommended to me by a Cambridge philosophy graduate when I was 17. Best book I have ever read. It really makes one appreciate the gift of life and our current capacity to gain knowledge while others had to struggle their entire lives to do so.
sarazeen95's review against another edition
4.0
Philosophy. Yawn. Or maybe not. Maybe you’ve already noticed some odd things that we believe in, like “money” — cured bits of tree bark that can apparently drive people to madness, or “free will” — which contradicts so strongly with the idea of predestination that neither concepts make sense. After all, who can possibly know why or how the world truly works. Those were the exact questions that Sophie never cared about. Until she gets her mail, and is swept away via a correspondence course with a mysterious stranger to the questions that we all wonder but never voice.
This book was like nothing I’d encountered before, and that’s not just because Gaarder mixed philosophy with mystery and a dash of thriller. It’s a bizarre combination, and it works!
Or maybe you fell asleep at the first word and now you’re pondering philosophy itself — in which case, sleep tight! When you wake up, look up SOPHIE’S WORLD by Justin Gaarder. It’s brilliant.
This book was like nothing I’d encountered before, and that’s not just because Gaarder mixed philosophy with mystery and a dash of thriller. It’s a bizarre combination, and it works!
Or maybe you fell asleep at the first word and now you’re pondering philosophy itself — in which case, sleep tight! When you wake up, look up SOPHIE’S WORLD by Justin Gaarder. It’s brilliant.
laurishus's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
al3xy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0